Los Angeles - After taking care of some unfinished business, the Boston Celtics went about their recent business as usual.

Paul Pierce scored 18 of his 28 points in the second half, and Kevin Garnett had 19 along with 10 rebounds, as the surging Celtics rolled to their season-high 14th consecutive victory, 94-82, over the visiting New Orleans Hornets on Friday night.

"Tonight was one of those games I was really happy with because we really struggled," Celtics coach Doc Rivers said. "We didn't have it. Nothing went well, but our effort was good and we grinded it out."

Los Angeles  - The light sabre used by Luke Skywalker in the movies Star Wars and Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back has sold for 240,000 dollars at a Hollywood auction.

The item topped the bidding at a Profiles in History auction held Thursday, according to a press release Friday. In total bidders paid around 3.5 million dollars for more than 500 items of Hollywood memorabilia.

The second most expensive item in the auction was a droid helmet from Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi which sold for 120,000 dollars.

Los Angeles- The Charlotte Bobcats continue to make changes, signing former All-Star forward Juwan Howard on Friday, and waiving seldom-used forward Dwayne Jones.

"We are glad to be able to add Juwan to our team," Bobcats general manager Rod Higgins said in a statement. "We feel his experience and leadership will have a positive impact both on and off the court."

The move comes just two days after the Bobcats acquired Boris Diaw, Raja Bell and Sean Singletary from the Phoenix Suns in exchange for Jason Richardson and forward Jared Dudley.

Los Angeles - Aussie star Hugh Jackman, who was recently chosen as People magazine's sexiest man alive, will host the 81st annual Oscars, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences confirmed Friday.

The move represents a departure from the comedians who usually host the biggest night in the film world. But Jackman is no newcomer to the award ceremony gig. He won an Emmy in 2005 for hosting the 59th annual Tony Awards in 2004.

Los Angeles - The Boston Celtics have never been better to start a season, but they're looking for an even bigger finish.

Paul Pierce and Ray Allen scored 22 points apiece as the Celtics rolled to their season-high 13th consecutive victory, 122-88 over the woeful Washington Wizards on Thursday night.

With their most lopsided victory of the season, the Celtics improved to a league-best 21-2 mark - a record start for the famed franchise, which has won 17 NBA titles.

"It's always nice to make history when you're part of a storied franchise," Pierce said. "There aren't a lot of record-breaking opportunities with the Celtics with the history that we have.

Los Angeles  - Most people have more important things to do this time of year than ponder the significance of the Golden Globe nominations announced Thursday at the unheard of Hollywood hour of 5 am.

But in case you are a movie awards junkie or need some conversation topics for your holiday parties, here are ten vital facts you should know about the main nominees: